A place to find out more about football and the girls who play it in Australia

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Westfield W-League semi-finals snapshot

So the details are here for the semi-finals weekend of the 2009 Westfield W-League. With Sydney and Canberra to meet on Saturday followed by the Mariners and Brisbane on Sunday.

SATURDAY, SYDNEY FC (1st) v CANBERRA UNITED (4th) at Toyota Park (or Shark Park), 3pm.
So Sydney FC claimed the league championship and what is seen to be the easier opponent in Canberra. But in this finals series, I don't think any team can be taken lightly. Remember how Canberra upset the Jets to make the grand final against the Roar last season? Sydney FC have won the only encounter between the two teams this year, 2-1 at McKellar Park. But it was one of those games that could have gone either way. Sydney's stellar line-up suggests it should have the experience to beat United's team of teenagers (the average age hovers around 18), but should be enthralling.

SUNDAY, CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (2nd) v BRISBANE ROAR (3rd) at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford. So Brisbane have smashed themselves back into some form, largely courtesy of a Tameka Butt hat-trick to make sure Newcastle finished with the wooden spoon thanks to the 6-0 win. But the Mariners are such a tricky team. They are very physical, but they use that to their advantage by playing a simple style of football, run the ball and then shoot. Brisbane only just escaped with a win thanks to an 81st minute Sasha McDonnell goal when these two teams met in Round 3 at Ballymore Stadium. Brisbane will no doubt be desperate to win after some up and down late season form cost them the chance to win back-to-back league titles.

But the best part about this weekend's W-League action? Both games will be LIVE on ABC TV. So everyone can watch every minute! Will be back later this afternoon with news from the Canberra camp and then more from the W-League awards in Sydney tomorrow.